The New 2016 VW Jetta

The last two years have treated the Volkswagen Jetta well. It’s gotten a facelift, tech upgrades, and vastly improved technology. But the 2016 model has raised the bar to a whole new level. Starting in 2014, the Jetta lineup underwent a major makeover.

First, Volkswagen replaced the popular Jetta Sportwagen with an all-new Golf SportWagen with rousing success. The newer wagon, based on the Golf, allowed for the SportWagen to be more agile, more luxurious, and quicker. That has made a lot of people happy.

The new SportWagen includes more standards than the Jetta SportWagen ever did. After ending the SportWagen, Volkswagen treated the Jetta lineup with an all-new and much more stylish front and rear styling, as well as an upgraded interior and a slew of new optional safety features—all of which led to a more distinguished look in 2015.

In 2016 Volkswagen committed to another refresh of the Jetta lineup, focusing less on looks and more on improving power, technology, and safety in one of their most popular vehicles.

2015 versus 2016: Volkswagen Jetta

The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta looks largely the same as its predecessor across most trims. The exception is the new 2016 Jetta GLI SE and SEL, which both received a new honeycomb grille, foglights, and a rear bumper design with two chrome-tipped exhaust pipes, plus a diffuser. The GLI, the premium high-performance model of the Jetta, also comes with 18-inch Mallory design aluminum-alloy wheels, which add to the more aggressive styling.

Otherwise, the biggest change for the 2016 model year Jetta is the addition of a 1.4-liter, turbocharged engine capable of 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, jumping up the Jetta’s horsepower by 35. The 2015 2.0-liter engine was reliable, but the 1.4-liter is much more capable.

This, of course, doesn’t apply to the GLI, which may as well be the Jetta “GTI” edition. The Jetta GLI uses the same 210-horsepower engine that the Golf GTI uses, making it essentially the sedan version of the GTI. In other words, it’s a ton of fun to drive.

More power isn’t the only change for the Jetta. In fact, all trims benefitted from added technology. All Jetta trims now come standard with the MIB-II Infotainment system and Volkswagen Car-Net App-Connect, meaning that all smartphones can easily connect to the 2016 Jetta. The VW Car-Net App-Connect, first available for the 2015 Jetta, equips Volkswagen sedans with either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay—a rare feat among the world’s carmakers.

Jetta owners, or prospective owners, will also be happy to know that Volkswagen focused on safety for 2016. Automatic Post-Collision Braking is now standard on all Jetta models. The Jetta also received Volkswagen’s new Driver Assistance Package, which includes several cutting-edge safety innovations. These include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and the rear traffic alert system.

2016 Volkswagen Jetta Safety

Between the sturdy, high-quality production of the Jetta and its new advanced safety features, the Jetta has achieved the highest possible safety rating. With 5 out of 5 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Jetta is absurdly stylish and absurdly safe. Let’s take a look at some of the safety features that helped the Jetta receive such a high rating.

Adaptive Cruise Control: Through the utilization of a forward-facing radar system, the 2016 Jetta allows you to enjoy cruise control while still adhering to the highest levels of safety. Pre-set a speed range within which the Adaptive Cruise Control can brake or accelerate. Even restrict your car’s speed to the limit of the current road.

Safe-distance technology builds on the already familiar cruise control system with the addition of the front-facing radar system, which detects traffic coming to halt ahead and quickly reduces your speed to match. It even warns you if you drive just a little too closely to the car in front of you, sending a series of visual and acoustic signals, then following up with a short braking jolt. If necessary, the car even slows itself to a complete stop.

Forward Collision Warning with Autonomous Braking: The Forward Collision Warning System, Forward Assist for short, is designed to accomplish just one thing: preventing front-end collisions. Front Assist provides drivers with audible and visual warnings that alert them when a collision is imminent. The warning isn’t the impressive part, though.

The system works in tandem with the Autonomous Emergency Braking system to slow the vehicle if the driver has not applied the brakes in a front-end collision situation. The system can also kick into gear if a driver fails to apply enough braking power. Volkswagen has made the system so effective that the Jetta earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert: These two systems combine to do exactly what you think: alert drivers to a vehicle in their blind spot. The system is made up of two individual radar sensors, which are located near each rear corner of the vehicle. These sensors detect whether another vehicle is in the driver’s blind spot and alert the driver by flashing a LED light on each side mirror.

The Blind Spot Monitor alerts the driver only when there is a vehicle in an adjacent lane on a highway; it doesn’t show an oncoming vehicle or stationary object on the road. The Rear Traffic Alert, on the other hand, uses the same sensors for a different purpose. It checks behind the vehicle and along the rear sides, where vehicles commonly approach. This broad-range system can “see” about 65 feet, depending on the model of the other vehicle.

The Rear Traffic Alert system can engage when the vehicle is in reverse or when the driver enables the Park Distance Control setting. Once activated, sensors monitor within the range and alert the driver if there is an oncoming vehicle or stationary object on the road, using visual and audible warnings on the instrument cluster.

These are just a few of features available on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, but they’re exactly what you can expect from Volkswagen and their Driver Assistance Package. Volkswagen has put tremendous effort into developing high-tech, premium amenities for its current model.

Schedule a Test Drive Today

The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta has enjoyed excellent improvements. It’s faster, more efficient, and more capable than ever before. With better gas mileage, a vastly improved safety system, and a more connected infotainment system, the 2016 Jetta is a no-brainer.

So what are you waiting for? Schedule a test drive today! Contact us today at 604-536-7212 to set up your test drive! Our experts are more than happy to answer any questions you may have and will work with you to find the exact trim you want.